Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-08-26
UNDER ETHER.

Sunday at half past one was the hour
fixed for the operation. 1t is curious
sensation, feeling perfectly well and
sound in wind and limb, to sit waiting
for man to whom you are to surrender
volition, consciousness-in fact, every
thing but life itself-while he cuts and
earVes at you with his knives and LAM
Gets. One is so accustomed to seeing the
doctor only when one is i'll and depress-
ed, or after an accident in the field, that
it seems incredible that there should be
the slightest necessity for this absolute
and deliberate surrender to the surgeon.
1t is easy enough to wait when one is
suffering, for the visit of the medical
man brings relief, or at least breaks the
monotony of long hours; but to wait in
perfect health for the performance of a
painful operation is very different and
more nervous matter.
Soon after the hour named two serious,
frock- coated gentlemen, with ominous
little black bags in their hands, were an
nounced. The surgeon declared that
the operation must be performed in bed.
So we pulled the bedstead into the most
convenient position for catching the
light from the window, and wheh he
had retired | began to undress. 1t
seemed very absurd going to bed in the
middle fthe day, more especially as the
blinds were fully drawn up, and the sun
was struggling through the clouds and
pouring its light into the room. No time
was lost; the surgeon and doctor came
in and began to arrange their tackle for
work. The doctor got out his ether APP
paratus and soon compounded smell
like a photographers shop in olden days,
while out of the corner of my eye |
could see the surgeon, who had taken off
his coat and pulled some guards over his
wrists and arms, arranging his weapons
in a heat row on the dressing table.
When the doctor had got his machine
ready he placed it over my nose and
mouth, with instructions to breathe
deeply two or three times. The appa-
ratus used for giving ether consists of a
box, ia which the compound is placed,
and an oval India rubber mask, very
plant and flexible, projecting from it,
with tap which allows communication
between the two parts to be cut off or es-
tablished ut WILL The mask part was
placed over my face, and inhaled deep
" once or twice, with the only result
that ] was seized with choking cough,
which, however, was soon followed by
a pleasant and restful sensation. | felt
as if were gently doing off on warm
summers day, so closed my eyes and
placed my arms down by my sides that
they might not interfere with my breath
ing. The doctor bent over me and
raised an eyelid, but was wide enough
awake to say, "not yet, doctor" | was
rapidly going, though, aud felt ! was
beginning TO lose consciousness. The
light seemed gently to fade away, CIV
ing place to darkness that was not awful
or horrible, but soft and restful. There
was no giddiness or singing in the ears,
but silence and darkness settled down
over me, and then red veil seemed to
come from between my eyes and to float
away into the increasing gloom, gradu-
ally diminishing in red spot, the only
speck of light left. Slowly this faded
away, and sight, hearing, volition. and
every sense with it. ] had a dim con-
sciousness of existence, but my very life
seemed far away, buried under masses
of soft darkness. do not know whether
| spoke, but my brain was blank, and
not thought crossed my mind. AL was
numb, dead and still, the silence OF the
grave, but with faint, indefnable con-
sciousness somewhere that this was not
death, but only the suspension of life.
Darkness was all around-not a dark
ness that might be felt, but one that
filled everything, covered everything,
and blotted out everything with black,
impalpable and all-perVading presence.
Gradually and !Roftly as 1t went the
light came back again, with no startled
wonder as to where was, for almost
before could shape thought | in
stinctively remembered my position and
knew that the operation was over. The
figures in the room now grew distinct
and clear. half rose up in bed, and
then horrible feeling of nausea and
pain rushed upon me. had lain down
strong aud we'll; woke up weak and
throbbing with pain under my band
ages, and with a sickness such as be-
lieved could only be produced in Al
derney Race on board cattle boat.
"Splendid," cried the surgeon, cheer
fully, "all over. first rate" and he
turned down his shirt sleeves after toss
ing away the towel with which he had
dried his hands. My first thought was
to ask the time. "Not much more than
quarter Of an hour over it." was the
ranI,. oI dare cay vou will On tn sIeen